a la quatrieme
To the fourth.
a la seconde
To the second.
a terre
On the ground.
across the floor
Movements practiced in succession or in a combination from one side of the dance room to the other.
adagio
Slow, continuous movements giving a sense of grace, line, balance, and poise.
alignment
Good posture; various body parts are in correct relative position with one another.
allegro
Brisk, lively movements.
arabesque
A position on one leg with the other lifted in back--the knee of the working leg is straight.
arch
A curved formation of the body.
attitude
A position on one leg with the other lifted in back--the knee of the working leg is bent.
axial
Movement done around a fixed point.
balance'
Rocking step; an alternation of balance shifting weight from one foot to the other in the pattern of down, up, down.
ballet
A theatrical work or entertainment in which a choreographer has expressed his ideas in group and solo dancing to a musical accompaniment with appropriate costumes, scenery, and lighting.
ballet class order
BARRE: Plié, Tendu, Dégage, Rond de Jambe, Petit Battement, Frappe, Développe, and Grande Battement. CENTER FLOOR: Adagio, Petit Allegro, Grande Allegro, Tours, Danse, Révérence
ballet slipper
A soft soled shoe usually made of canvas or leather, worn by ballet dancers.
barre
The long horizontal bar mounted to the wall or free standing that ballet dancers use to help maintain balance while doing warm up activities.
beat
Basic unit of musical time. When listening and dancing to the music in dance class, we refer to the beats of the music also as counts. Dancers usually count the beats in sets of 8 if the music allows, but can also count in sets of two, three, six, and other variations depending on the meter (basic number of beats per measure) within the music.
center floor
Exercises or technique practiced in this area does not allow for use of the barre for balance, but helps the dancer to find his/her own center and balance to perfect a movement.
chaine'
Chain or Linked turns.
changement
To change feet in the air.
chasse'
To chase.
character
This style usually refers to a Broadway theatre style of dance where the dancer portrays a certain character. Movement is choreographed in direct relation to the lyrics of the song. Props like canes and hats are frequently used.
choreograph
The planning and creation of the steps within a dance.
choreographer
A person who choreographs.
choreography
The movements, formations, patterns and other structural elements of a dance.
comic
This can be any form which offers fun entertainment. A choreographer of this style can take common situations and displace them in funny ways.
contraction
A curving of the spine inward to create a concave space. This term is used often in modern, and is used in conjunction with the release movement, which would be the release of the contraction to an open position.
coupe
To cut.
croise
Crossed.
dance
A transient mode of expression, performed in a given form and style by the human body moving in space. [This] occurs through purposefully selected and controlled rhythmic movements; the resulting phenomenon is recognized as dance both by the performer and the observing members of a given group. - Joann Kealiinohomoku
degage'
To disengage (off the floor).
derriere
To the rear or back.
devant
To the front.
developpe'
The working foot is drawn up to the supporting knee and the leg is developed or unfolded to an open position in the air. Leg is extended from the knee to front, side, or back.
dynamics
The intensity of movement throughout the piece.
ecarte'
Separated.
echappe'
To escape.
efface'
Shaded.
elements of movement
There are three of these: Time, Space, Energy
eleve'
Rising (Cecchetti method of ballet). This refers to the smooth continuous rise from a standing position to pointe or demi pointe. In the French school, this action is called relevé.
en bas
Low (position of the arms).
en croix
In a cross. Exercise is done to the front, side, and back.
en haut
High (position of the arms).
en l'aire
In the air.
epaule'
Shouldered.
first position of the feet and arms
Heels and knees touching with feet forming a slight V by turning outward from the hip. Arms form a circle in front of the chest.
second position of the feet and arms
Heels and knees turned outward placed about 12" apart. Arms are out to the side and slightly rounded.
third position of the feet and arms
Heels and knees are turned outward with the heel of the front foot in the instep (middle) of the back foot. The arm on the same side as the foot positioned in front is above the head rounded while the other arm is out to the side and slightly rounded.
fourth position of the feet and arms
Heels and knees are turned outward with one foot directly in front of the other with the front foot about 6" forward of the back foot (can be forward of 3rd or 5th position). The arm that is on the same side as the foot that is positioned in front is above the head rounded while the other arm is in front of the body rounded.
fifth position of the feet and arms
Heels and knees are turned outward with one foot directly in front of the other, and the heel of the front foot at the toe of the back foot. Arms are positioned slightly forward above the head and rounded.
flat back
A term used to refer to a lengthening of the spine from the tailbone through the neck to create a flat plane.
fondu
To melt. This is a general sinking motion of the standing leg in exercises done both at the barre or in center floor. Lower body by bending the knee of the supporting leg and straightening the supporting leg (as in plié) as the foot of the working leg comes to a pointed position. Can be done in combination with other exercises, such as développe, as well.
fouette
Whipped.
frappe'
To strike. Working foot starts flexed and touching ankle, then the ball of the foot strikes the floor quickly and returns to the ankle.
glissade
To glide. A traveling step done by gliding the working foot from the 5th position in a required direction and the other foot closing to it.
grand battement
Large beating. Working leg is raised through tendu and degage to its highest point possible without compromising perfect alignment. The leg follows the same path on the way down. Very little to no sound should be heard when foot returns to the floor.
grande jete'
Large jeté. In this step the legs are thrown to 90 degrees with a corresponding high jump.
hinge
Tilt of the torso with a straight line passing from the tip of the ear through the shoulder, hip, and knee.
hip hop
This dance style is syncopated and incorporates isolations. This style is frequently seen on music videos and is danced to a rap like beat.
improvisation
Making something up on the spur of the moment.
isolations
Movement of one body part at a time, usually used in jazz or character dances. Also used as a part of the warm up to work out one muscle or muscle group before a deep stretch.
jazz
A style of class definable by its syncopated rhythms and isolated moving body parts. Include movements that are sharp or smooth, fast or slow, exaggerated or subtle.
jazz hands
Fingers fully extended and spread.
jazz sit
Body weight maintained on one leg. Knee of opposite leg bent with foot in forced arch.
jazz square
Cross, back, side, front. On the right side, cross the right leg over the left, step the left leg about 12" behind the right, step the right leg to the side of the left, and step the left leg about 12" in front of the right, creating a box or a square shape.
jete'
To throw. A jump from one leg to the other in which the working leg is brushed into the air and appears to be thrown.
kinesthetic
The sense that detects bodily position, weight, or movement of the muscles, tendons, and joints.
locomotor
Movement done from a given point A to another point B.
lyrical
This style can be presented in both a modern or balletic form. It is movement that is sustained, suspended, and flows. It is based upon the lyrics of the music.
modern
This style of dance was a rebellion against classical ballet and its codified technique. Today ballet choreographers utilize the movement concepts of the this style of dancer and any of the body placements and exercises of the ballet dancer are now used in this technique. Many choreographers now include in their work not only this style's elusive techniques, but also the principles of jazz, ballet, and ethnic dance. There is no concise definition of this style, but it introduces you to a new form of dance in which you may experience the joy of movement because it is created by and for those who are interested in the reflection of life today.
musical theater
This style of dance is usually similar to character in style, but the dancer is not meant to portray a specific character. The dancers may also sing the lyrics to the song as they dance.
neutral position
When your head is in this placement, it is held as an extension of the spine. It is not tilted forward (looking down) or back (looking up), but is held even between the shoulders.
pantomime
The use of the hands, arms and face in stylized gestures that have specific meaning. Also referred to as mime. Pantomime is used to communicate story line and advance the plot.
passe'
Passed. The foot of the working leg passes the knee of the supporting leg from one position to another.
pas de bourree
Back, side, front. From 5th position, step back behind the front foot, step side with the other foot, and finish by stepping front to fifth with the first foot.
pas de chat
Step of the cat. From 5th position behind, demi plié and raise the back foot pointed to the ankle of the other foot. Immediately spring upward and to the side raising the 2nd foot to the same height as the first foot lands in a fondu and quickly closes to 5th front (demi plié).
pique'
To prick. Executed by stepping directly on the pointe of demi-pointe of the working foot in any direction, without bending the knee. Lifted leg can be in any position including passé, arabesque, and attitude.
pirouette
Whirl or Spin. Complete spin on one foot, pointe or demi pointe. Plié and spotting gives momentum. Spotting also helps to prevent dizziness.
pivot turn
An axial turn in which one foot steps forward and the entire body pivots 180 degrees toward the open side of the body to the other side.
pointe shoes
The satin ballet shoes used by dancers when dancing on the toes. The shoes have a "box" at the front which protects the toes and allows the dancers to balance. They also have a "shank" on the bottom to allow additional support. Only very experienced ballet dancers should attempt dancing in these shoes, as they require a great deal of strength, coordination, and technique, as well as a good amount of flexibility in the ankle.
plie'
to bend. In ballet this refers to the bending of the knees.
port de bras
Carriage of the arms.
projection
The communication of a vivid image to the audience through attitude, eye contact, facial expression, and full body commitment to the dance movements. Without this full commitment to the dance, the artistic expression is lost within the dancer.
proscenium stage
A stage constructed with a "window" through which the dance or theatrical event is viewed. This is the type of stage most high schools will have, although some have variations.
qualities of movement
Swinging, sustained, suspended, percussive, vibratory, collapse.
rond de jambe
Round of leg. The leg circles en dehors, outward, or en dedans, inward, in a half circle either on the floor or in the air.
saute'
Jumping. In all jumping movements, the tips of the toes should be the first to touch the ground after the jump, then the ball of the foot, followed by the heel. When rising, reverse this order. Demi plié before jumping and when landing.
sickle
This term is used for a fault in which the dancer turns his/her foot in from the ankle, thereby breaking the straight line of the leg.
sous-sus
Under-over. Relevé springing onto point and drawing the legs and feet tightly together with the heels forced forward.
soutenu
Sustained in turning. A turn in which you raise to relevé while bringing the legs into sous sus; turn and land in plié.
split
Executed with either one leg in front of the other or both legs out to the sides, with ankles and hips making a straight line. With one leg in front, the knee of the front leg faces up toward the ceiling while the knee of the back leg faces the ground. With legs to the sides, both knees should face forward until flat in the splits when they may face upward.
spot
Head position while turning. Eyes are focused on one point at eye level to prevent dizziness as body turns. Head is last to leave the direction of the turn and first to return.
stag leaps
These leaps are usually done out of a chaîné turn. A double is executed by lifting one leg into the air in a front attitude and quickly jumping into the air with the back leg also in attitude, and landing in plié on the first leg. A single is similar but the first leg is straight, and the back is often arched. The idea is to get both legs into the air at the peak height of the jump at their highest point.
syncopation
Places the accent on normally unemphasized beats of the measure. Sometimes music is syncopated and sometimes the dance steps are syncopated around the music.
tap
A term that has been used in many and varied forms but basically is the striking of the free foot to the floor in any direction. This can pertain to the ball of the foot, the back edge of the heel with the toe up, the tip, or point of the toe and could be a flat-footed movement or done on the toes.
tempo
The speed at which a piece is performed. Can be slow or fast, or anywhere in between, and may change throughout the piece.
tendu
To stretch. The toes never leave the floor as the whole foot slides out from the closed position until the toe has to be raised in order not to shift the weight off the supporting leg. The foot aches for maximum stretch and legs straight.
tour
A turn.
turn out
The ability of the dancer to turn the leg outward from the hip socket so that the legs are open and feet pointed sideways as far as that position can be maintained without disturbing body alignment. Ideally it's 180 degrees. Weight is shifted slightly forward with knees in line with the feet.
petite battement
Small beating.